The Fencer is based on the true story of Endel Nelis, an Estonian fencer and coach (1925-1993), and was selected as the Finnish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards.

Fleeing from the Russian secret police because of his controversial past, a young Estonian fencer named Endel is forced to return to his homeland, where he becomes a physical education teacher at a local school and begins to train a group of young children in the art of fencing.

However, the past catches up with him and Endel has to choose between letting his students down or putting his life in danger.